Safety hose-coupling.



0. P. WILHELM.

SAFETY HOSE COUPLING.

APPLICATION man rm. 9, m4.

1 1 99,024. Patented Sept. 19; 1916.

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O. P. WILHELM.

SAFETY HOSE COUPUNG.

APPLICATION FILED MAIL 9, 19-14.

1,199,024. PatentedSept. 19,1916.

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0. P. WI-LHELM.

SAFETY HOSE COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9, 1914.

1,199,024. PatentedSept. 19,1916.

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0. P. 'WILHELM'.

SAFETY HOSECOUPLING. I

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9, 1914.

1,199,024. Patented Sept. 19, 1916.

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OLIVER. P. WILHELM, OF MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA.

SAFETY HOSE-COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 19, 1916.

Application filed March 9, 1914. Serial No. 823,340.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, OLIVER P. WILHELM, acitizen of the UnitcdStates, and aresident of Michigan City, Laportecounty, Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSafety Hose-Couplings; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, and to the numerals of reference markedthereon, which form a part of this specification.

Many types of hose couplings have been devised for use on railroadtrains whereby the acts of coupling or uncoupling the device acts toopen or close the valves therein. It is desirable that in the event of acar accidentally breaking away from a train that the valves on the airline remain open, so that the respective brakes on each portion of thetrain will be immediately and automatically set. Of course the valvemechanisms are in open position when the device is coupled, but due tothe sudden pulling away of the coupling heads when a train breaks intosections, the valves are sometimes closed, and the brakes are not set,thereby endangering life and property.

This invention relates particularly to a hose coupling attached in theair brake system of a railroad train whereby two engaging interlockingcoupling heads provided with independently operatable rotatable valvemechanisms arranged to open and close with the coupling and uncouplingoperation of the device are associated with a mechanism forpositivelylocking the valves in open position temporarily during thetime that the heads are being accidentally pulled apart, and notproperly uncoupled from one another.

It is an object of this invention to construct a hose coupling whereinmechanism is associated within the casing of each of the coupling headsto be actuated by a part of the interlocking means of a complementalhead to prevent closing of the valves within the head when the couplingheads are separated or pulled apart without properly uncoupling thesame.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a safety device incombination with a coupling head whereby the valve mechanism in the headis positively locked from moving to closed position for a brief interval during the pulling apart of the coupling heads when the same are notproperly uncoupled from one another.

It is also an object of this invention to construct a hose couplingprovided with a safety device for maintaining the valves in openposition in the event of breaking away of the coupling heads.

It is also an object of this invention to construct a hose couplingwherein novel means are provided to prevent leakage around the valveelements and to prevent wedging of the valve elements within thecoupling heads, and where the passages through the coupling heads andvalve ele ments are rounded to register with one another and afford asmooth and easy path of flow for the fluid, and furthermore, whereinsafety devices are associated in the coupler heads to temporarily insurethe valve ele ments remaining in open position if the coupling heads areaccidentally pulled apart.

It is a further object of this invention to construct a hose couplingembracing coupling heads complementally shaped to interfit with oneanother, and provided with valve elements rotatably mounted therein toopen and close with the coupling and uncou lin ooeration and cod cratinwith p :1 to

safety devices to maintain said valve elements temporarily open againstaccidental closing when the coupling heads are accidentally pulledapart. i

It is finally an object of this invention to construct a simple,economical and efficient hose coupling consisting of few parts andembodying a number of features correcting inadequacies in presentconstructions.

The invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings andhereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a pair of coupling headsembodying my invention coupled and locked together.

2 is a similar View with the parts rotated to uncoupling position. Fig.3 is a Side elevation of theheads'inthe position i shown in Fig. 1. Fig.4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a bottom plan viewof one of the'coupling heads with the valve in closed position, theparts being properly arranged preliminary to coupling. Fig. 6 is asection taken on line 66'of Fig. 5, with the valve rotated. to openposition. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 4Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section taken on line 8+8 of Fi 7. Fig. '9 is afragmentary side elevation of one of the coupling heads with the cap andthe locking bar of the valve removed. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of oneof the coupling heads with the valve in open position and. the small.cover removed from the casing inclosing the safety device. Fig. 11 is asection taken on line- 1111 of Fig. i with parts broken away. Fig. 12 isa similar view with the valve in closed position. 7

As shown in the drawings: Inasmuch as each of the coupling heads isidentical. in form and construction a description of one will suliice.The coupling head is denoted as a whole by the reference numeral 1, andis provided with a nipple 2, adapted to re ceive a hose end thereover. Alaterally directed cylindrical. barrel 3, is formed integral with saidcasing or head 1, forming a part thereof, and is provided with a frustoconical interior into which is shrunk a brass bushing 4, also conical inshape. Another conical brass bushing 5, ground to lit accurately andclosely around a conical valve element 6, is mounted'within said bushing4, and at its lower or inner end is flanged outwardly, as denoted by thereference numeral 7, affording a stop to limit the movement of said vave element 6, by contact with a pcripheral flange 8, around the endthereof. Each of said stationary bushings l and 5, is apertured toregister with the passage through the casing 1,1eading from said nip pie2, through said cylindrical portion 3,'permitting the rounded passagethrough said valve element 6, to register therewith. The outer end ofsaid valve element 6, is provided with a stem 9, which projects througha central aperture in a cross-bar 10, the ends of which rest indiametrically disposed recesses 11, in said barrel 3, and bushings i and5, thus preventing rotational movement of said bushings Within saidbarrel, and also affording retaining means for said valve element tohold the same inserted in position in the inner bushing 5. F'orthispurpose, the outer end of said stem 9, is threaded and a nut 12, issecured thereon over a spring washer 13, whereby said valve element 6 isheld in position closely within said bushing 5, in sealing-relationtherewith. A. cap 14, is threaded on the outer end of said barrel 3,oft-he coupling head closing over to protest and conceal. said nut andlocking bar for the valve element.

'Fiher or rubber washers 15, are sprung into place in recesses for thepurpose in the ends of each of the respective valve elements 6, whichabut one another, so that said washers when the heads are coupled, areclamped tightly together in sealing relation. When theheads of thecoupling are about to be coupled together they are brought together atan angle with one another, as shown in Fig. 2, and with the valve1,1ea024c elements in the position shown in Fig. 12.

The coupling heads and the valve elements.

are then rotated into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, so that therespective apertures in the coupler heads and valves 'move the inner endof each of the valve elements,

is extended, as denoted by the reference numeral 16, on one side thereofand at one end.

of said flange an upright actuating finger 17, is formed integraltherewith, having a finger piece 18, at its end, and at the other.

end of said'flange 16, an abutment wall 19, is integrally formedthereon, adapting a lip 20, formed around theouter end of the couplinghead on the lower end of the barrelv 3, to fit over sa1.d"flange 16,between said finger 17, and sald abutment wall 19.

Thus when the coupling heads are rotated in reverse directionsduring acoupling operation, the valve element in one coupling head will be movedby the lip on the other. coupling head to the proper open position.

For the purpose of limiting the rotational movement of the valve element6, within the barrel 3, an abutment or stop 21, is formed integrally onthe inner surface of the outer end portion of said valve element andavith the valve in one extreme position, for in.- stance that in which;it is open, said abutment 21, contacts one side of said bar 10,diametrically across the top of said barrel 8, and when the valveelement rotates into its other extreme position, or that with the valveclosed, said abutment 21., contacts the other side of said barlO.

A small semi-peripheral curvedhousing 22, is formed on the outer surfaceof the coupling head on one sidethereof and is adapt ed to receiverotated thereinto the. flanged portion 16, and abutment wall 19,;of thevalve element, as well as the lipQO, of a complemental coupling head,said lip engaging beneath a slightly )inclined wall of said housing,which acts as a cam to hold the heads together and maintain the samecoupled.. face of said housing 22', is angled, as denoted by thereference numeral '23, sothat the respective housing portions of each ofthe coupling heads abut one another along said inclined. end, as clearlyshown in Fig- 1,

and each of said housings is cut away along,

one wall thereof'to receive the fingers .17, therethrough, as the valveelement is rotated and the flange portion and abutment wall :16 and 19,respectively, are rotated into concealed position within said housingmembers. When the coupling heads are brought together preliminary tocoupling,

The outer or terminating edge or pling heads are rotated into theposition shown in Fig. 1, said lip portions, abutting against theabutment wall 19, serve to rotate the valve with its associated elc-.

ments into and within the housing 22, until the inclined faces 23, ofsaid housings abut one another.

Oft'entimes a train will break in two, that is to say the cars becomeaccidentally uncoupled from one another, and at this time it isdesirable that the valve elements within said coupling heads remain inopen position to release the air and automatically set the brakes.However, it has been found in practies that oftentimes the lip 20, onthe barrel 3, when the two heads are pulled away from one anotherwithout moving through the required angle for uncoupling, willaccidentally catch upon some portion of the valve element, as forinstance the finger portion 17, thus rotating the valve into closed position. In order to prevent this, I provide a safety device which acts toautomatically and positively hold the valve elements in open positionduring the interval of time that the coupling heads are pulling apart,and immediately thereafter the automatic mechanism returns to normalposition out of use. For this purpose, outwardly preject-ing walls areprovided on the outer side of said housing 22, adapted to receive acover 2%, removably thereon, thus forming a compartment within which ismounted a lever 25, upon knife edges 26, formed thereon for the purpose.One end of said lever 25, is provided with a depending lug 27, whichprojects through an aperture in the casing wall of said housing 22, anda spiral spring 28, bears on the end of said lever and within acydindrical enlargement 29, in said cover 21, to normally impel saidlever into a position with said lug projecting through the aperture. Thelug projecting through the aperture in the wall of said housing 22, isso positioned that in the normal rotational movement of a lip 20, on acomplemental cou 'iling head, the upwardly projecting or beaded portionof 'said lip 20, travels around outside said lug 27, without in any waytending to move the same, as clearly shown in Fig. 8, but in the eventof a parting of the coupling heads, due to accident, said lip 20, ispulled directly across said lug 27, thus impelling the same upwardlyagainst the pressure of the spring 28, and moving the other end of saidlever 25, downwardly. A pin 30, is mounted in an aperture in the otherend of said lever 25, and is held in operative position by a strong leafspring 31, and a small spiral pushing spring 32, bearing against thewall of the housing and .aid pin, acts to normally hold the pin retracted. 1n orderto temporarily lock the valve element from movementwhen said coupling heads part under the aforesaid ac- I cidentalconditions, a notch 33, formed in the abutment wall 19, of the valveelement of the other or complemental coupling head, is engaged by saidpin 30,projected downwardly by the movement of said lever 25, to holdthe valve element from rotational movement should the lip 20,accidentally engage the finger 17, to rotate the same toward closedposition. The purpose of mounting the pin 30, in the manner described inthe lever 2,5, is to avoid jamming of the parts engagement of said pin30.

The operation is as follows: The norma coupled position of the parts isshown in side elevation in F '3, and in section in Fig. i, that is, withthe respective valves open, and the passages through the coupling headscommunicating with one another, and sealed by the washers 15. When theheads are about to be coupled to one another they are brought into theposition shown in Fig. 2, that is with the barrel portions 3, inalinement, but with the heads angled with respect to one another, sothat with the finger portion 17, rotated outwardly to its limitingposition as determined by the stop 21, on the valve within the barrel 3,the lip portions of the respective coupling heads may be en gagedbetween said finger 17, and abutment walls 19, whereupon the respectivecoupling heads are rotated relatively to one another.

This causes the lips 20, to move inwardly into the housing 22. with thelips engaging against the inclined cam wall thereof, and the abutmentportion 19, and finger portion 17, being integral with the valve elementand moving with said lip cause the valve to be rotated into an openposition. The interaction of the lips 20, with the walls of the housing22, with which they engage, serves as a clamp to bring the couplingheads tightly together, the inclined wall of said housing 22, causingsaid lip to wedgingly engage therewith for the purpose.

Vv'hen the coupling heads are coupled to one another the limit ofmovement is reached as shown in the plan view in Fig. 1, that is, withthe inclined abutting faces 23, contacting one another and with thefinger pieces 17, rotated closely into an adjacent position to thesafety compartment sections of the housing 22, so that no projectingportions are in evidence upon the device which might accidentally becomecaught or be struck to throw the device into a released position.

As already stated. the position of the lug 27. of the safety mechanismof the device is on an arc of less radius than that of the beadedportions of the lip 20, as clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 11, so thatduring the ordinary rotational movement of locking the coupling headstogether, said lug is not moved by said lip. However, in the event of acar becoming accidentally detached from. a train and the hose couplingheads being pulled apart without the rotational movement used inuncoupling the same, said beaded portion of the lip 20, will be pulledover and against said lug 27, in its passage thereby, thus impelling thepin 30, downwardly into the recess 33, and preventing an accidentalrotational movement of the valve into a closed position. Obviously, whena car breaks away from a train, it is not desirable to have the valvebecome closed, for otherwise the brakes would. not be set and accidentsmore serious would follow.

I am aware that various details of construction may be varied through awide 'ange without departing from the principles of this invention, andI therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted otherwise thannecessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A hose coupling comprising two heads, a lip on eachthereoi a housingon each of said heads adapted to receive the lip of a complemental' headtherein to bring said heads together, valve elements rotatable in saidheads, means thereon adapted to be engaged by said lips to rotate saidvalve elements when said heads are coupled together, and means in eachof said heads ope ated directly by the complemental head for lockingsaid valve elements from movement when said coupling heads are pulledapart with out rotational movement.

2. In a device of the class described com.- plemental interlockinginterfitting coupling heads, rotatable valve elements therein adapted tobe thrown open to afiord communication between said heads when the headsare coupled together, and mechanisms in each of said. heads positivelyactuated. by direct contact with the complemental head to lock saidvalve elements from rotation when said heads are'pulled apart withoutthe proper uncoupling operation.

3. In a device of the class described complemental interfitting couplingheads, valves rotatable therein, members on said valves adapted when ina certain position to insure a closed position of said valvespreliminary to a coupling of said heads, mechanism on said. headsadapted to engage said members to rotate said valves to open positionwhen said heads are coupled, and means for lock ing said valves fromrotation by engagement with said members when said coupling heads arepulled apart.

-l. In a device of the class described interfitting interlockingcoupling heads, valves rotatable therein, means associated. with saidvalves to move the same into open and closed position, mechanism on.each of said coupling heads adapted to engage said means to move saidvalves, and pivoted safety meansoperatable by said mechanism. on. saidcoupling heads to positively hold said valves from rotation in openposition when said coupling heads are accidentally pulled apart.

In a device of the class described coupling heads, a valve rotatable ineach there apart accidentally, and means actuated by saidllIlGCllfl'lllSDlS to positively engage the abutments on said valves toprevent move ment thereof and hold the same in open po-- sition.

6. The combination in a hose coupling of two coupling heads, means forinterlocking said heads by rotating them in contact in oppositedirections, valvesrotatable insaid heads adapted to be opened by saidcoupling.

operation, and mechanism normally out of contact with the valves actingtomove into engagement therewith to hold said valves in open positionwhen said heads are separated by a longitudinal pull.

7. The combination in a hose coupling of two duplicate heads havinglateral communicating openings, valves controlling the flowtherethrough, means for interlocking said heads against separation byrotating them in opposite directions, and for maintaining them lockedwhen they have been rotated a certain amount, and mechanism. actingmomentarily to hold said valve inan adjusted position. when said. headsareseparated without rotational movement.

8. The combination in a hose coupling of two duplicate heads havinglateral communicating openings, valves adjustable therein to control theflow therethrough, curved interlocking means carried by said heads, and

mechanism operated momentarily by said means to positively hold. saidvalves for an.

instant from movement leaving the same in an adjusted open position whensaid heads are separated without the proper uncoupling operation.

9.The combination in a hose coupling of two duplicate heads havinglateral communicating passages, valves rotatable therein to control thefiow therethrough, interlocking means on said heads adapted to beengaged with one another by rotational movement Of said heads, andmechanism positively operated by one member of said in-v terlockingmeans to momentarily engage and hold said valves in an adjusted positionleaving the same open when said heads are separated without a completerotational uncoupling movement.

10. In a device of the class described cou pling heads, meansinterlocking said heads by rotating them into contact in oppositedirections, valves in said heads controlling the flow therethrough,mechanism on said valves engaged by said complemental heads to rotatesaid valves into an adjusted position during coupling or uncoupling ofsaid heads, levers mounted in said heads, lugs thereon projecting intothe path of one member of said interlocking means to be actuated therebyin the event of the separation of said heads without a proper rotationalmovement, and means actuated by said lever to positively engage saidmeans on said valve to hold the same in adjusted position when thecoupling heads are separated.

11. The combination in a hose coupling of two duplicate headscommunicating with one another, valves rotatable therein for controllingthe flow therethrough, and means acting momentarily to hold said valvesin an adjusted position when said heads are separated without rotationalmovement.

12. The combination in a hose coupling of two coupling heads, arotatable valve in 'eachof said heads, means for interlocking said headsby rotating them in contact in opposite directions, and mechanism actingmomentarily to hold said valves in an adjusted position when said headsare separated without rotational movement.

13. In a device of the class described, in terfitting interlockingcoupling heads, means for interlocking the same, valves rotatabletherein, and means for momentarily locking said valvesfrom rotation whensaid coupling heads are pulled apart.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence0]": two subscribing witnesses.

OLIVER P. WILHELM.

Witnesses:

CHARLES W. HILLS, Jr., FRANK K. HUDSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C.

